The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brothers jailed over bungled Fife newsagent robberies.
Pair tried to rob two separatebranches of RS McColl
Two brothers are behind bars after attempting to rob two newsagents at knifepoint on the same night.
The masked would-be thieves ran from both shops empty-handed when terrified female staff refused to hand over any cash.
Fergus Muldoon, 21 and his 19-yearold brother Alisdair targeted two branches of RS McColl in Glenrothes within half an hour.
Appearing from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Fergus Muldoon admitted assaulting Lynn Burns in the course of her employment at RS McColl, Parbroath Road, on January 2.
He held a knife to her, demanded money and attempted to rob her.
Depute fiscal Sarah Lumsden said Muldoon and another male, both with their faces masked, burst into the shop at 8.20pm.
Muldoon threw down a carrier bag and with a large knife in his hand said: “Give me the money.”
When the shop assistant told him she could not open the till, Muldoon said: “You better learn to.”
The other man stayed at the door and with no cash being handed over, the two of them ran from the shop.
Muldoon’s solicitor Iain McCafferty said: “It was just after Christmas and the New Year holidays.
“Alcohol was taken over a period of few days. Folly is the only explanation that can be put forward for the offence.
“In the cold light of day, he recognises there can be no excuse for this. In the past his decision-making has been clouded by alcohol and other judgement flaws.”
Sheriff Craig McSherry Muldoon for 32 months.
His brother Alisdair Muldoon was given a custodial sentence for his actions on the night at a hearing last month.
He admitted assaulting Janice Tierney at the RS McColl branch on North Street on January 2, by presenting a knife at her, demanding money and cigarettes and attempting to rob her.
Muldoon went into the shop at 8.45pm, produced the knife and told the assistant to put the money in a bag.
When the woman told him she could not give him money, Muldoon said: “Give me the fags then.”
The assistant refused, so Muldoon put the knife down the front of his trousers and left with another male.
Another brother, Gregor Muldoon, who had dropped the pair off and picked them up in his car later, was shown CCTV images of the incidents by police.
He identified his brothers by the clothes they were wearing that night.
Alisdair Muldoon, who had been given early release from a previous sentence, was sent back to Polmont to serve the remaining 93 days and will then start a 40-month term for the latest offence.
Reporting restrictions had been put in place on the case until Fergus Muldoon appeared in court.
Folly is the only explanation that can be put forward for the offence. IAIN MCCAFFERTY, FOR FERGUS MULDOON
jailed